Pre-Visit Instructions

Overview

You are being referred for evaluation of a vascular problem. These can be complex and overlap with many other serious problems such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

In order to properly evaluate your problem we need a comprehensive medical background. We also need to have current lab values, particularly regarding kidney function and diabetic control (where appropriate). We will frequently need to carry out investigations using different imaging techniques such as CAT scans, angiograms and ultrasound. Current lab values and solid information are important to do a thorough risk assessment in order to select the best vascular treatment option for you.

What to Expect

During your office visit we hope to complete as much of the assessment and planning as possible in order to reduce total waiting time and to reduce travel for out of town patients.

We will need to complete our comprehensive data form on arrival. Our reception staff will assist you with this task on arrival in the office. It will take approximately ten minutes. You will also be given a form that helps to locate the most appropriate information on our website pertaining to your condition and treatment plan.

If further tests are indicated we will select which ones and where they need to be done. Even though CAT scans can be done in most communities, it may be faster to get them done in Victoria. This will be discussed and clarified at the time.

If surgery is clearly indicated, you will have a full discussion of the procedure, length of stay in the hospital, anticipated recovery, the risks of the procedure and potential alternatives. When we are completed we can often give a date and time for the procedure if all of our data are compete.

We endeavor to run on time. Many urgent matters do intrude in the course of the day so if we are behind we apologize in advance. It would be wise to count on the time from entering the office to leaving being approximately an hour. Please plan your parking appropriately.